Publisher

Hardie Grant Books

Printer

Griffin Press

Year Written/Published

2005

Country

Australia

ISBN

1740663209

Binding

Paperback

Pages

211

Genre

Drama

Blurb

In this addictive and highly original debut novel, a 15 year old dies mysteriously, leaving behind a secret ledger filled with his darkly comic confessions. Whether fantasizing about being a minority, breaking into his neighbours homes, or gunning down an exotic bird, Henry Every's wayward quest for betterment sometimes bordered on the criminal. Alone now in their suburban house, his father pores over the ledger in a final attempt to connect with the boy he never really knew – and, more urgently, to figure out how he died. As Harlen Every learns the truth about his sons many misadventures and transgressions, he also discovers the part he unwittingly played in Henry's tragic death and the real reason his wife walked out years ago. The story grows into two parallel love stories – one past, one present – with drastically different outcomes.

My Opinion

Beginning with Henry's funeral, and ending with his death, this is the story of teenage angst, as discovered by a grieving father. For all his musings about life and the universe, Henry seems to have no respect for anyone. Some of the things he does made me uncomfortable, but the thread of the two stories, one before and one after the funeral, makes it hard to resist. The allure of discovering the answer to the mystery – exactly how Henry died – kept me hooked on the story until the final page, where, after all the dark musings, I was a little surprised to find an out-of-place funny quote from Charles M Schulz.

Date Finished

12/11/2006

Rating

5/10